Refugio Los Volcanes

After some overnight rain it was pretty slow going for much of the day, yet we still pulled out some great birds. Scanning from the clearing around our rooms in the early morning gloom produced several Blue-throated Piping-Guans, Blue-headed Parrot, Plumbeous Pigeon, Plush-crested Jay, Rufous-bellied Thrush, Yellow-chevroned Parrot, Andean Condorsat on a ledge, Variable Oriole, and most frustratingly a Chestnut-tipped Toucanet teed up in the scope didn’t remain on its perch long enough for everyone in the group to see it. 

Yellow-chevroned Parakeets

After a great breakfast we walked along the jeep track where we immediately honed I on a calling Slaty Gnateater that gave brief views. Moving on we saw Pale-legged and Two-banded Warblers, Buff-fronted Foliage-Gleaner, Dusky-green Oropendola, Streaked Xenops, Green-cheeked Parakeet, Ochre-cheeked Spinetail, White-backed Fire-eye, flyby Military Macaws, Plumbeous Kite, Versicolored Barbet, Fork-tailed Woodnymph and Plain Antvireo. We did spend a long time trying to locate a calling Short-tailed Antthrush, which eventually Mavis spotted. The bird kept moving from perch to perch and never really gave great views, but most of us saw it. We also took a side trail where Slaty Gnateater proved far more sociable, and a Grey Tinamou was seen. 

Slaty Gnateater

Lunch back at the lodge was another good meal and with a couple of hours ‘off’ over lunch, most of us spent the time watching up to 40 Military Macaws feeding raucously nearby. What an absolute pleasure it was to watch these stunning birds cavorting in the treetops and flying around constantly. 

Military Macaws

There was also a distant flock of swifts that proved to be Sick’s Swifts, whilst the rapidly improving weather enticed numerous Andean Condors to take to the air, along with a Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle. And a flock of Turquoise-fronted Amazons was also scoped.

Once everyone was assembled we took to the trails behind the lodge, seeing Masked Tityra,Yungas Manakin and Black-goggled Tanager. Another quick trip along the jeep track was noteworthy only for the impressive spectacle of the raucous Mitred Parakeets constantly screaming overhead. Back at the lodge a Tschudi’s Woodcreeper gave point blank views. 

Rufescent Screech Owl

We tried for Rufous Nightjar that only called once but had better luck after a protracted search for Rufescent Screech-Owl.